Here are some helpful tips to help you set the stage for success when it comes to styling and upgrading your home when planning to put your house on the market!

• The most important thing you can do is get rid of clutter! It makes your home look bigger, so ask yourself what you can live without!
• Think about the way your furniture is arranged, furnish your space by floating furniture away from walls, reposition sofas & chairs into cozy conversational groups, etc. This will not only make your rooms feel larger but also will give your space a more user-friendly feel.
• If you have a room that serves only for storage, re-purpose it into something that will add to the value of your home. Some ideas include a cozy reading room, a spacious home office, or an exercise room, the possibilities are endless!
• Another key to make your home look warm and inviting is great lighting. Increase wattage in your lamps and fixtures. Aim for a total of 100 watts for each 50 sqft. Make sure your have these 3 types of lighting: ambient (general or overhead), task (pendant, under-cabinet or reading) and accent (table and wall).
• Paint! Using a fresh neutral color in a room helps tone down any dated finished in the space. Bold wall colors tend to have a way of reducing offers, so go with neutrals in large spaces, while dark paint in a bedroom can make the space more intimate and cozy.
• A nice and important touch to staged homes are fresh flowers. Put together a simple bouquet appropriate to the season, it will warm up your decor!
• Now some bedroom staging tips: it is easy to create a relaxing bedroom setting with luxurious looking linens, soft colors, a new bed frame, and don't forget to de-clutter! Clean out closets, to optimize the look of your storage space!
• Bathroom staging tips: Having tile freshly painted can make an outdated bathroom look brand new, accessorizing can make buyers feel like they're in a spa! Pu tout items such as rolled towels, decorative candles etc.
• Last but not least there are many simple ways to boost your curb appeal! Many buyers who are thinking of touring your home may do a drive-by first. Power wash siding and walkways, make sure your house numbers are easy to read, plant fresh and blooming flowers, mow the lawn, wash your windows and repaint or stain the porch floor as needed!

Learn more helpful tips for staging your home here!

This Sunday, October 19, 2014 from 1:00-3:00pm, Geri Reilly Real Estate is hosting an Open House at 406 Bean Road in Colchester, Vermont. Stop by to say "hi" and take a look around!

We look forward to seeing you there!

406 Bean Road, Colchester

Move In Ready

Wonderful 3 BR/2 BA cape with open floor plan on private .5 acre lot, spacious living/dining room, upgraded kitchen with custom cabinets & finished walkout basement with office, family room & game room with bar. Large front porch, attached 2 car garage. Bike to town beaches & park.

MLS#4369429/ $279,900

Directions |  More Information

Loving your house starts with loving you neighborhood. Having trouble choosing , not sure what you're looking for? Here are a few steps that will help you along the way.

Step 1 - Profile Your Perfect Neighborhood

Think about what you are really looking for. Make a list of "must-haves" at the top and "would-like-to-haves" at the bottom.

Consider the following:

• Do you have children or are you planning to have children anytime soon? Looks for properties close to schools, parks and community centers!
• What type of home do you want? Single-family, apartment, condo, townhouse, multi-family?
• How far are you willing to commute? Proximity to work should be considered!
• What is your current community lacking? Think about what you are missing now or wish you had on a day to day basis.
• Do you want to be able to go places on foot? Do you want to be within walking distance to local restaurants or shopping?
• Don't forget to think about what you don't want in a neighborhood.

Step 2 - Zero In on the Area

Focus your search on a specific area, working off your list of must-haves.

Step 3 - Get the Suspects

Start your research on background info for your ideal area, including:

• School Information
• Crime Statistics
• Parks & Recreation
• Neighborhood Associations
• Tourist Attractions

Step 4 - Find the Clues

Now it is time to visit the neighborhoods, and imagine yourself and your life in the neighborhood. Use your senses in the following ways to paint a picture:

Sights: First impression, visualize yourself in the neighborhood, observe the neighborhood at different times of the day, and look for any warning signs such as a lot of "For Sale" signs or rentals, vandalism etc.

Sounds: listen for any noise coming from nearby highways, airports or nearby clubs/bars, talk to current residents of the area, see what they have to say, they could be your future neighbors!

Smells: Are there any? Unpleasant smells can certainly affect your decision to line in an area.

Taste: ask yourself if the neighborhood matches your taste in a living environment, does it meet your criteria?

Step 5 - Close the Case

Once you've chosen the right neighborhood for you, its time to find a house you love! Which can often be the hardest part. Make sure to:

• Find out how much house you can afford - the amount of money a lender offers you is often more than you can truly afford to pay.
• Compare your loan options - find out what mortgage is right for you, decide between fixed and adjustable rate mortgages.
• Draw up your vision of home - now its time to think about what you want in a home!
• Find the perfect house!

Read more here!